PSA/DNA Quick opinion for Ebay.

Hi, Just wanted to add a FYI on PSA/DNA quick opinion for Ebay! I bought a signed Robert Redford, Paul Newman picture. I spent the 7.95 whatever it was for the quick opinion for the Ebay listing. Of course it came back within 30 mins not likely. Here's the rub, I sent the picture to Ms. Joanne Woodward in CT, Mr. Newman's widow. Not only did she tell me it was her late husband's signature, she confirmed Redford's as well and sent me a nice note and a signed picture of herself! Nice.

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PSA/DNA are very conservative with their quick opinion. It would hurt to buy a piece that quick opinion said was good and then pay the authentication to get it certified by PSA/DNA and have them come back and say it isn't authentic even though they gave it the thumbs up on quick opinion. They want that to happen as little as possible.

Or I could say that they're just not very good which isn't necessarily true. But in my experience, their quick opinion is more conservative than their basic cert for instance. Quick Opinion is a good gauge of authenticity, but it's not everything. I think every collector needs to decide after their own investigation whether they're comfortable or not with an item they've purchased or would like to purchase; independent of what third-party authentication says.

My concern is whether you're opinion that they're very conservative is true. If it is, I think they need to state that, to be fair to both buyers and sellers. Especially since eBay removes listings that fail QO or close accounts with a number of Quick Opinion failures. That's something I just heard here that I don't know whether it's true or not.

For a recent example, look at my Scarlett Johansson thread here. I used Quick Opinion on that and I believe they got it wrong. And I wasn't the only one to disagree with their assessment. Some other posters in the thread seemed to agree that it was good. eBay ended up shutting down the listing, but It didn't matter because I had already paid for it and already receive the photo in the mail.

I think they got this one wrong, and it makes me wonder how many other listings get shut down that are legit. No doubt it's a good service to offer for buyers, but how many auctions every day get shut out that are actually legit? My reason for getting the quick opinion was my thought that it was a no lose situation - that I would get the 'likely genuine' email, and I would include it with the item when I sent it in for full authentication. I didn't even take a moment to consider that it wouldn't pass. And I guess I should have known better - since they can only go by the low resolution pictures that are put on the auction listing.

I know it's been said that something like 95% of all autographs for sale online are forgeries - and I believe that. So again, I do think quick opinion is a good service for buyers - but there's still that 5% percent or so that is good, and if auctions can get shut down by somebody's opinion that isn't really conclusive, then obviously it isn't a perfect system and I can see how they would be conservative on their opinions. Better safe than sorry.....

I'm all in favor of eBay pulling down more forgeries. There are so many blatant forgeries which sell for real money; it's disheartening. That said, in my experience, quick opinion has turned down some good items. Items, also which I think they would pass if it were sent in. It's a likely/not likely thing - not a science. It's also a question of the experience of the person looking at the autographs. Is that their area of expertise or are they just pulling up an exemplar library? It's impossible to tell. Collectors can't really rely on third-party authentication or anyone else; they either get smart themselves or they get taken.

when you see these in the terms and conditions it is a GUARANTEE there are going to be conflicts. That would include QO says Likely Genuine then you submit it within 90 days it comes back "not likely genuine" or vice versa as highlighted below. Thus, it's perhaps a good barometer at times but....

Like Brick said, post the picture and the original format & information received by Joanne Woodward. ;

Terms and Conditions of Service (Important!)

Customer's engagement of Collectors Universe ("CU")'s QuickOpinion service is subject to all relevant terms and conditions of the eBay User Agreement.

CU will endeavor to render opinions within a reasonable time frame after receipt, but disclaims any liability whatsoever to Customer for damages (including incidental or consequential damages) allegedly due to CU's failure to render an opinion within any time frame.

CU will not render opinions with respect to items consisting of (a) autographs NOT listed on the QuickOpinion Autograph Schedule or, (b) autographs that in CU's opinion are damaged and/or their scans illegible. Fees paid to CU for such items shall be refunded to Customer.

Only items received within 90 days of the close of the auction will be entitled to a credit of $7.49 off CU's regular authentication price.

Certification and authentication involves individual judgments that are subjective and require the exercise of professional opinion, which can change from time to time. CU does not guarantee that any opinion rendered by QuickOpinionwill agree with the opinion(s) of any other autograph experts, or with the opinion rendered by CU itself should the item be submitted for physical inspection immediately following purchase or at any time in the future. Therefore, CU makes no warranty or representation and shall have no liability whatsoever to Customer for the opinion rendered by QuickOpinion with respect to any item, including but not limited to losses or damages incurred by any person as a result of relying upon any QuickOpinion opinion in connection with the purchase (or non-purchase) or sale of any item. CU further disclaims any liability whatsoever for losses or damages incurred by any person as a result of the reproduction and/or use of any QuickOpinion opinion by third parties not connected with CU including, but not limited to eBay sellers.

QuickOpinion opinions are non-transferable, and Customer agrees to the following with respect to dissemination of any opinion Customer receives from QuickOpinion with respect to any item: (a) not to disclose QuickOpinion's opinion to any third party; (b) that QuickOpinion's opinions are confidential and may not be reproduced or distributed without PSA's express permission; (c) that eBay is authorized to remove any unauthorized disclosure of a QuickOpinion opinion from eBay's site.

Except as expressly set forth herein, CU disclaims any and all warranties, express or implied, regarding the QuickOpinion service.

The courts of Orange County, California shall have exclusive jurisdiction and venue of any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to Customer's use of QuickOpinion, and THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY WAIVE THEIR RIGHTS TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY SUCH CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM. The court shall award to the prevailing party, in addition to any other relief deemed appropriate, the prevailing party's attorney's fees and costs of litigation, whether or not those are otherwise available to the prevailing party by statute.

I think many celebrities are reluctant to tell fans their memento may be secretarially signed. Not to say Joanne Woodward was fibbing, but she may have been. Or the secretary that handled the request may have been just doing his or her job.

I do not have a scanner on my laptop but I will scan it in with my father's soon. Thanks for the feedback Brick and DB. And to Zipper. Thanks for your comment but I respectfully disagree. Ms. Woodward has no reason to tell me its her husband's if it isn't, I did not even ask about Redford's and she addressed it. Nor did I ask for a personal note on her notepad or a autographed picture of her, but I loved that she sent them. I had included a SASE. It is a handwritten note. I am friends with Jack Nicholson's daughter Lorraine, and Jennifer Lawrence of "Hunger Games" fame. As well as Peter Fonda. They all sign items themselves. I am not naive and cynical. My point was that the PSA/DNA came back within 30 mins.....thank you all for your feedback!!! It's greatly appreciated!!!!

Terms and Conditions of Service (Important!)

Customer's engagement of Collectors Universe ("CU")'s QuickOpinion service is subject to all relevant terms and conditions of the eBay User Agreement.

CU will endeavor to render opinions within a reasonable time frame after receipt, but disclaims any liability whatsoever to Customer for damages (including incidental or consequential damages) allegedly due to CU's failure to render an opinion within any time frame.

CU will not render opinions with respect to items consisting of (a) autographs NOT listed on the QuickOpinion Autograph Schedule or, (b) autographs that in CU's opinion are damaged and/or their scans illegible. Fees paid to CU for such items shall be refunded to Customer.

Only items received within 90 days of the close of the auction will be entitled to a credit of $7.49 off CU's regular authentication price.

Certification and authentication involves individual judgments that are subjective and require the exercise of professional opinion, which can change from time to time. CU does not guarantee that any opinion rendered by QuickOpinionwill agree with the opinion(s) of any other autograph experts, or with the opinion rendered by CU itself should the item be submitted for physical inspection immediately following purchase or at any time in the future. Therefore, CU makes no warranty or representation and shall have no liability whatsoever to Customer for the opinion rendered by QuickOpinion with respect to any item, including but not limited to losses or damages incurred by any person as a result of relying upon any QuickOpinion opinion in connection with the purchase (or non-purchase) or sale of any item. CU further disclaims any liability whatsoever for losses or damages incurred by any person as a result of the reproduction and/or use of any QuickOpinion opinion by third parties not connected with CU including, but not limited to eBay sellers.

QuickOpinion opinions are non-transferable, and Customer agrees to the following with respect to dissemination of any opinion Customer receives from QuickOpinion with respect to any item: (a) not to disclose QuickOpinion's opinion to any third party; (b) that QuickOpinion's opinions are confidential and may not be reproduced or distributed without PSA's express permission; (c) that eBay is authorized to remove any unauthorized disclosure of a QuickOpinion opinion from eBay's site.

Except as expressly set forth herein, CU disclaims any and all warranties, express or implied, regarding the QuickOpinion service.

The courts of Orange County, California shall have exclusive jurisdiction and venue of any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to Customer's use of QuickOpinion, and THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY WAIVE THEIR RIGHTS TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY SUCH CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM. The court shall award to the prevailing party, in addition to any other relief deemed appropriate, the prevailing party's attorney's fees and costs of litigation, whether or not those are otherwise available to the prevailing party by statute.